“Spike, write this down!” Twilight commanded and looked concentrated into the test-tube in which a more and more brown looking liquid bubbled. Then she dictated:
“Experiment 18: The dissolution changed its color from blue-purple, to orange-brown within a half minute when quicksilver is ad-“
Twilight couldn’t finish her sentence because the door of the laboratory, which was under the library, swung open and banged against the wall. A very excited Pinkie Pie bounced inside the room.
“Hey Twilight!” she said with a happy grin on her face.
“Pinkie, what are you doing down here?” Twilight asked, a bit annoyed because Pinkie distracted her from her chemical experiments.
“I wanted to borrow a cookbook because I wanted to try out some new recipes I could use for my parties so everypony doesn’t have to eat the same cookies and cakes the whole time. But you weren’t there, so I couldn’t ask you. Then I heard something from down here and I put two and two together and resumed that you were down here. But because you are always coming down here when you don’t want to be disturbed I thought it would be better to leave and come back later. But then Ditzy came and brought you a letter and I thought you might wanna know about it. It’s from somepony named Starswirl. The same name like this wizard you dressed as last Nightmare Night. Did you travel back in time again and met him so he could travel into the future to send you a letter?”
Pinkie explained everything very fast so Twilight had some trouble of getting all what she said. She sighed and raised a hoof so that Pinkie stopped talking.
“I don’t know anypony named Starswirl, expect Starswirl the bearded, and I doubt that he sent me a letter. Derpy must have messed up with the letters again.” Twilight said.
Pinkie shook her head.
“No, there’s your name and address on the letter.” Twilight gave the pink pony a confused look.
“Ohm Twilight, what about the experiments?” Spike asked. Twilight took a look at the test-tube. The liquid remained brown.
“Just write down that it turned brown. That was the last experiment anyway.” She answered and turned to Pinkie again.
“Okay then, let’s see who this Starswirl is and what she wants from me.”
Back at the ground floor of the library Pinkie bounced to the stairs that led up to Twilight’s room.
“At first I thought you was up there and concentrated on reading a book or something so you maybe didn’t hear me, so I went upstairs. I put the letter on your desk.”
“Thanks Pinkie.”Twilight said and went upstairs. Spike and Pinkie followed her.
Like Pinkie said lied an unopened letter on the desk. Twilight took it with her magic and turned it over. It really was addressed to her and it came from…Meraville? She never heard of a place called like that. And it was from a pony called Starswirl Eona. A very unusual last name. Pinkie stepped next to Twilight.
“And? Do you know this pony?” She asked curious. Twilight shook her head.
“I haven’t even heard of a place called Meraville. So why should this pony send me a letter?”
“Open it!” Pinkie said excited, “When this isn’t some kind of prank this pony probably wrote why it wrote you!” she stated.
“Good point.” Twilight said, opened the envelope and pulled the letter out of it.
Dear Twilight Sparkle,
My name is Starswirl Eona. I’m writing to you with a matter of great importance. Weird and dangerous things are happening in my hometown lately. Just last night I saw that a few stars moved and built a new constellation that looked like a flame. I don’t know if you saw it too, but I can guarantee that it was not my imagination. Today, just a few hours ago, I saw a part of our forest catching fire. The pegasi were able to extinguish it by now, but I doubt that this was a coincidence. Something very strange is going on here and the most inhabitants of Meraville are frightened by the happenings. I want to ask for help in this case. Maybe you even know what the reason for all of this is. When so, then please reply and tell me what to do to stop it. It’s getting worse every day and I’m afraid that somepony would get hurt or worse.
I’m a completely stranger, so it must seem weird that I’m writing to you. The reason is that I know that you are princess Celestia’s personal student and that you could tell her about what I wrote. I came to the conclusion that it’s safer this way because I wasn’t sure if the princess would get my letter and take it serious. Furthermore I know you from when I still lived in Canterlot. We both were at the school for gifted unicorns, but you never seemed to notice me. So it’s not a surprise when you don’t remember me.
But back to the point. You’re one of the Elements of Harmony. Maybe you could do something about it. I really hope you can. But it’s actually none of your buisness, so you don’t have to. I just hope that you can help us somehow. Or maybe you know somepony who could. Please tell princess Celestia of the happenings in Meraville when you don’t know what it is. Maybe she knows the reasons.
Yours sincerely
Starswirl Eona
PS: My name maybe reminds you of ‘Starswirl the Bearded’. My parents wanted to name me after him. I’m a mare though. (I needed to add that in case you’d think otherwise)
Twilight stared at the letter. She didn’t expect something like this. Pinkie also read it and was the first one to find words.
“This sounds bad. Do you think that Discord returned and is messing up with this place?” Twilight shook her head.
“When this would be the case, the princess would have noticed that his sculpture was missing and had written me by now. But to be honest, I can’t imagine somepony or something else than Discord who could create such chaos.” Twilight said and hurried down to the library again.
“What are you doing now?” Pinkie asked the lavender unicorn and followed her.
“I’m making a research what it could be what bothers this town. But at first I should look where this Meraville actually is.”
She looked around in her shelves. She pulled a few books out and let them fall on the ground when she checked the covers and noticed that it weren’t the books she searched.
“Spike!” she yelled upstairs and the baby dragon hurried down. “Can you fetch me a book with a map of Equestria please?”
“Of course” he answered, ran to a shelf at the other side of the room, climbed up the ladder that leaned there, and grabbed a big red book at the top of the shelf. “Got it!”
He hold it up and Twilight took it with her magic. She flapped trough the pages to the last ones of the book where towns were listed in alphabetical order. She quickly searched under M and then found it: Meraville, page 78 G2
She opened the book on page 78 and found a part of the northern map of Equestria. She looked where the lines of G and 2 crossed, then she saw, very tiny but still visible, a red point in a mountain landscape. Under it were the words Meraville. It seemed like it was several miles away from any other town and on top of it, it was in the mountains. When she would have to go there it would not be very easy. On the map you could also see where a train would drive along, but there weren’t any rails that ran near Meraville. Suddenly Pinkie spoke.
“Uh, that’s near where I lived when I was a filly! My parent’s rock farm was at the edge of this mountains. I never was in Meraville though, but now when I think about it I heard about it from my parents. They used to live there before they decided to move away and form the rock farm.”
Twilight looked a little surprised by that news. She knew that Pinkie grew up on a rock farm, but she never thought it would be that far in the north.
“Must have been terribly cold up there.” Spike said.
“Nah. Not as much as you probably think. The weather is similar to the one we have here in Ponyville actually. Just a little bit colder. But it's awfully cold at night!” Pinkie replied. Then she turned to Twilight again. “Do you think you’ll find out something about whatever it is that bothers this town? Because it doesn’t sound like they’d have much fun there.”
“I don’t know Pinkie, but I’ll do my best.” She said put the book town on a book holder with opened page with the map of the north of Equestria.
“Meraville is in the Phoenix Mountains; maybe I’ll find a clue about what’s going on there when I’m making a research of this specific area. Maybe there it happened before. When it did, then I’m sure I will find something.”
While talking she pulled some books out of the shelves and letting the wrong ones falling on the ground like she did before. Spike picked them up and put them back in the shelves.
“Wait!” Pinkie suddenly yelled and Spike froze in this movement. He was about to pick up another book. Pinkie took the book that was on top of the stack Spike balanced on his left claw. She flapped trough the pages and then grinned. Twilight and Spike looked at her in confusion.
“Did you find something?”Twilight asked.
“Yes I did! This cookbook looks very promising. Good that you threw it on the ground, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have found it!”
Twilight facehoofed. She was used to Pinkie’s randomness so she actually should have expected something like this.
“Should I help you with your research Twilight?” Pinkie offered, laying the book at a window ledge so it wouldn’t be put back into the shelf by Spike.
Twilight thought about it. Pinkie was actually quite good in finding helpful things in books. Like the flight spell she casted on Rarity that one time when they thought about how to get to Cloudsdale to help Rainbow Dash. Or the time spell she used to actually mess up a whole week by worrying about a disaster that didn’t even exist.
“Alright Pinkie. It surely will increase the chances of finding something when you help me.”
“Oki Dokie Loki! What exactly are we searching for?”
“A book of the history of the Phoenix Mountains.”
“Oh, I have one at home! I got it when I went to school. We mainly got taught about the history of the whole land Equestria and not specific parts of it, but still there is a whole chapter about history of the Phoenix Mountains. I fetch it! Maybe we’ll find something helpful in it.” And with that, Pinkie took her cookbook and dashed out of the library.
“Wouldn’t it be better to write to princess Celestia about all this? When she knows something about it you don’t have to go through all this research work.” Spike said.
Twilight had nearly forgotten that. Starswirl nevertheless had asked if she could write to princess Celestia about it. So she left the book-mess she created to Spike and hurried upstairs again to write to her mentor.
Dear Princess Celestia
Today I got a letter from a pony named Starswirl Eona, who lives in Meraville. She told me about some weird things that are happening there lately. I sent a copy of the letter she sent me. At the moment I’m making a research about it, but I haven’t found anything yet. Maybe you know what’s going on. She also said that stars are moving. Could Luna maybe know something about it?
Starswirl mentioned that my friends and I maybe could do something about it because we are the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. When it turns out that we could, then I would be happy to help and I’m sure my friends are too.
I await your soon response.
Your faithful student
Twilight Sparkle
Twilight read the letter she just wrote again to see if it was okay. Then she took the letter from Starswirl again and used the copy-spell, which she often used to help Pinkie with invitation cards. She took the copy and her letter to princess Celestia and rolled it together. When she was about to go down to Spike again, the door swung open and Pinkie Pie came inside, an old school book in her mouth.
“I gawd it!” she said, her voice muffled by the book.
“Great! And I just wrote a letter to the princess. Spike, could you send it please?” Twilight asked and looked at Spike who finished with sorting the books and was now working on a crystal he found on the last gem hunt he was at with Rarity. He wanted it to be as good as the fire ruby was, but this time he wouldn’t give it to Rarity. When he heard his name he looked up. He put the yellow crystal aside and took the scroll that floated beside Twilight. Then he sent it away in a green flame. Spike walked back to where he sat before and continued working on his precious stone.
“Do you think that we need to go there and help?” Pinkie asked while Twilight was searching for the chapter Pinkie mentioned before.
“I don’t know. It all depends on what the princess will respond.”
“You both are overreacting! Maybe it’s not as bad as it sounds. Why are you continuing with the research anyway Twilight? When the princess sends a reply she will probably tell you what’s wrong. And maybe you don’t have to go there anyway. So it’s useless to make a research.” Spike said.
Twilight thought about it for a moment.
“When it turns out that it’s something important and that we need to go there it would be helpful to at least know a bit of this place, also when this book doesn’t mentions the reason of the problems in Meraville.”
“By the way. The book also mentions legends and myths. Maybe that could help.” Pinkie said.
Legends in a history book? Twilight thought that it was rather strange. But she still read through it. Pinkie helped her with extra information she still remembered from her school time and from what her parents have told her. A half hour passed and they didn’t find anything helpful in Pinkie’s history book yet. But then suddenly they heard a noise from upstairs. Spike went there a few minutes ago. Now we slowly came down the stairs, a scroll in his claw. Twilight put Pinkie’s book aside and took the letter instead. She enrolled the scroll and both, Pinkie and her, read it.
Dear Twilight
I’m afraid that even I don’t know what is going on in Meraville. Luna noticed the stars’ movements, but she couldn’t do anything to move them back to their normal stand.
It sounds like something very bad is happening there in the north and I want you and your friends to investigate the situation and maybe find a way to stop whatever is going on there. I don’t know how long you will need to stay there, so make sure that you pack enough things.
You will have to drive by train to Coltcity. I will send pegasi carriages which will pick you up at the station and bring you to the town. Please get there as fast as possible. I will insure for accommodation in the meanwhile.
Please report to me what you find out.
Yours Princess Celestia
“Yay! We are going on an adventure again! I will tell the others!” Pinkie said happily and bolted outside.
One hour later all the six friends and Spike, were together at the library and discussed the imminent mission.
“Okay, all we need to do is going there and find out why these weird things are happening. We will probably find a solution to all of it once we are there and see it by ourselves.” Twilight repeated.
“D-do you think there are dragons. Because of the fire I mean…”, Fluttershy said anxious and lost her voice at the end.
“I don’t know. Maybe. Fact is we don’t know anything about it yet.” Twilight said.
“Ah don’t know about all this. It sounds like something bigger than a dragon. The stars are changing too, after all.” Applejack said.
“Maybe the stars are prophecies or something like that. I mean, they are somehow telling the future! They made a constellation that looked like a fire and then there was a fire. Maybe we can find something out with that.” Pinkie Pie said and the others were impressed by this mostly logical thought of her.
“When this flame-constellation wasn’t an individual case then we maybe could have something to predict the future happenings and maybe even prevent them when possible.” Rarity said.
“It doesn’t bring anything to discuss it when we don’t know more than that! I say we pack up a few things and go to the station already! We only will find out when we get there. The faster we get there, the faster we get answers to this!” Rainbow Dash said.
“I have to agree in this point. It will do forever to do all of that packing anyway.” Rarity said.
“Ya don’t plan to pack as much as on out camping trip, right? That wouldn’t come in handy with the carriages later.” Applejack said.
“Right! You don’t have your sister to pull it this time anyway.” Rainbow said.
“I will pack as much as necessary.” Rarity said determined and looked at Spike. “After all I have Spike to help me with carrying my luggage. Right Spike?” The alabaster unicorn smiled when she looked at the baby dragon.
“Of course I will help you Rarity!” he immediately responded. Twilight rolled her eyes.
“So this is set. Let’s meet all at the station in two hours then.” She said. The others nodded in agreement and left the library one by one. Fluttershy was the last one. Before she left through the door she turned around to Twilight.
“Do you think it will take very long? I mean, I would have asked BonBon or Rose to look after my animals anyway, but I just wanna know if it’s going to be long. I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.”
“I don’t know Fluttershy. It all depends on how difficult it is to solve the problem and if we can actually do anything. We will see when we are there. But tell Rose and BonBon that it could take longer than expected.” Twilight answered.
“Okay.” Fluttershy said and left the room.
Pinkie Pie sat on her bed and looked at an old photo of her family. Her already packed saddlebags were lying next to her. It has been a while since she last had thought of her parents and her two sisters. She hasn’t seen them in years and she also hasn’t heard of them. She didn’t even know if her parents still had the rock farm and if her sisters worked there or moved somewhere else. She couldn’t blame them for it if they did. After all she also moved away. She just couldn’t have spent all her life on a rock farm. Also when she loved her parents.
The history book and the research about the Phoenix Mountains had remembered Pinkie of her childhood again. Pinkamena Diane Pie. It has been a long time since somepony had last called her by this name. It was not that she didn’t like her full name. It just reminded her of these cold days of her childhood. She didn’t have the best one a pony could wish for after all. She had decided that Pinkie Pie just sounded happier. With this she could stay happy. Leaving the past behind her. And now they were traveling in the direction of her old home. Cold and dark memories of the bleakest time in her life rose up again.
There was a knock on the door and Mrs Cake entered.
“I heard you were going on a journey again.” She said smiling. Pinkie shook of her dark memories to look as happy as always on her outside. She returned the smile and spoke in her normal excited voice.
“Yes, we do! This time we’re investigating something even princess Celestia doesn’t know an answer for. And maybe we are travelling through the town I lived when I was a filly! It’s very difficult to reach that place; we are heading to, though. It will at least take a full day. But it will be so much fun!”
But somehow Pinkie didn’t feel like it would completely be fun. The thought that they could travel through her old home town came her just now. Without any doubt it would awake dark, old memories. But she was excited the same time. There was a whole town of ponies which was awaiting her. She surely would make lots of friends there. When the circumstances where okay she also could throw a party! But the knowledge of being in the north again suppressed her anticipation a bit.
“How long do you think you’ll be away?” Mrs Cake asked. Pinkie shrugged.
“No idea. Twilight said that it could take a week, maybe two. When it will take longer than two weeks I’ll write you so you will know and don’t need to worry. Could you please take care of Gummy while I’m away?” Pinkie asked nicely.
“Of course Pinkie.” Mrs Cake said friendly and took a little package with something inside from her back. Pinkie didn’t notice yet that she was carrying something with her.
“What’s that?” Pinkie asked curious. Mrs Cake smiled and gave it to the pink pony.
“Some bake goods. You have a long journey ahead of you after all and you will surely get hungry.”
Pinkie looked inside the little package and found biscuits, cupcakes, candy and other delicious things in there. A big smile formed on her face.
“Thank you so much Mrs Cake! This looks delicious! I will share it with my friends!”
“You don’t have to do that. I made five more packages for the others too. They also will get hungry after all.”
“Thank you again! I’m sure they will love that!” Pinkie said and packed the sweets in her saddlebag. Then she looked at the clock.
“Oh horse apples! I will be late!” she shouted out suddenly and quickly looked through her saddlebags to make sure she really packed everything she needed. Then she put on a scarf and a coat. Both didn’t fit into her saddlebags and it would be horrible outside, it was summer after all, but from experience she knew that it could be very freezing cold in the north. So it was really needed to bring something warm. Then she put her saddlebags on.
“Are you sure about this Pinkie? The heath will kill you when you wear this.” Mrs Cake said worried.
“Don’t worry. I survived worse.” She said and grinned.
“Alright then. The packages for your friends are in the kitchen. Don’t forget to fetch them.”
Pinkie hurried down into the basement and then into the kitchen. She found a bag standing on the table. In it were five packages with sweets. The cookies were fresh from the oven; she could even smell them through all the packages and the bag. She took it with her mouth and hurried to the front door.
“Have a nice trip!” Mr and Mrs Cake said when she passed them and waved after her. Pinkie Pie gave them a smile and then she was out of the door.
She had so hardly thought about her past and what her family would do now that she completely lost her feeling of time. She already was fifteen minutes too late and it surely would take fifteen more minutes for her to get to the station. Especially in this coat, with her heavy saddlebags and the bag she had in her mouth. It was unlikely for her to be late for something. Twilight would freak out. She was sure of that.
“Now calm down Twi’. The train will arrive in half an hour. I’m sure they’ll be here in time.” Rainbow tried to calm the pacing unicorn down. She said that for the fifth time already, but it didn’t seem like Twilight was even listening to what the cyan pegasus said.
The journey, requested by not only a unicorn she didn’t know, but also by the princess herself, let her mind go wild. Like always in such situations she tried to plan everything that could await them on their trip there, when exactly they would arrive and what they’d have to do. She couldn’t disappoint the princess or the poor ponies in Meraville, so she concentrated on thinking about how to avoid failing the mission. It was an extremely important case! But still, the half of their group wasn’t at the station yet!
“Ohm, Twilight. I think it will be fine.” Fluttershy said. It was the first time she has spoken for fifteen minutes in which she just has watched her friend pacing up and down the platform.
“Oh come on! Even Fluttershy isn’t that nervous!” Rainbow shouted in frustration. Twilight’s pacing really annoyed her by now.
Finally the unicorn stopped and looked at the two pegasi.
“I know. But this is very important and the half of us is late!” She said and got back to the pacing. Rainbow let out an annoyed groan and facehoofed.
“Rarity is probably slowed down by all the stuff she packed, Spike has to carry all of it after all.” Fluttershy said.
“And Applejack and Pinkie probably have to discuss about work shifts or something like that. I had to sort out stuff with the weather team too. Luckily it didn’t take that long.” Rainbow added.
Twilight let out a sigh. She also thought of these possibilities.
“That still doesn’t change the fact that they are late. When we miss the train we have to wait for the next train which comes in two days!”
“Sorry…that I’m…..late!” Said a familiar high voice from the other end of the platform. The three friends turned around to see a sweating, and out of breath being, Pinkie Pie who trotted as fast as she could in their direction.
“What’s up with this thick clothing Pinkie? It’s summer.” Rainbow said.
“But it’s colder in the north. Especially at night. I wanted to be prepared for the worst.” The pink pony said and then realized that Applejack and Rarity were missing.
“Where are the others?” she asked confused
“Not here.” Stated Twilight. A bit annoyed of this fact.
“By the way!” Pinkie said and pointed at the bag in front of her, “The Cakes were so nice to make us all some little packages with sweets and bake goods. There’s one package for everyone!”
“That’s very nice of them.” Fluttershy said and smiled.
“Awesome! The stuff from Sugarcube Corner always is the best!” Rainbow said and took one package out of the bag.
“Wait. I noticed that they wrote your names on them. I think they put each pony’s favorite food in them.” Pinkie said and Rainbow studied the package she held in her hoof.
“I’ve got yours Twilight.” She said and gave it to the unicorn. Then she searched after the package with her name on it.
“That’s very generous of them. I think we should make a thank-you-gift in return when we come back.” Twilight said.
“Oh my gosh! We could throw a party to thank them for it and also to celebrate our return! It will be a Thank-you-for-the-packages-and-having-us-back-at-Ponyville-party!” Pinkie said eagerly and bounced at the spot.
“Sounds good to me.” Rainbow said while putting her package in her saddlebag.
Suddenly all four of them heard five familiar arguing voices getting closer. They were arguing so loud that they could already tell what the problem was before the ponies entered the station.
“For the thousandth time Apple Bloom, Ah said ‘no’!” They could hear Applejack saying.
“But sis, we never went on a real adventure like y’all! It could be the perfect chance to finally get our cutie marks!” That was Apple Bloom.
“Please Rarity! We also could help you!” Clearly Sweetie Belle’s voice.
Then five ponies arrived the station.
“No Sweetie Belle. You could get hurt. Adventures also mean dangers and this is nothing for little fillies like you three.” Rarity said.
“But that’s the point! Maybe our special talents are going on adventures! We will never know and never get our cutie marks if we can’t come with you!” Scootaloo said while trying to sound as convincing as possible.
“That’s right! We are…” Apple Bloom started and took a deep breath. Her two friends followed her lead.
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER ADVENTURERS! YAY!” they said in unison.
All ponies at the station turned towards them.
“Sorry we’re late. But Ah think you can see why.” Applejack said to her waiting friends. Twilight sighed.
“I’m just glad you’re finally here now.” She said.
“See? I told you they’d make it in time. You really should start listening to me.” Rainbow said and rolled annoyed her eyes to underline the statement.
Then Spike arrived at the station. He carried as many suitcases as he could. Obviously all Rarity’s. As Twilight saw her number one assistant she quickly helped him with a levitation spell with which she took the luggage and set it down next to Rarity. Spike was relieved to have the weight being put away and quickly caught up with the group.
“Didn’t I tell you to pack light?” Twilight asked the alabaster unicorn.
“I only packed the most important things and even reduced them.” Rarity complained.
“I don’t think that most of the stuff you packed is THAT important.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Can we really not come with you?” Apple Bloom asked again and tried the puppy eyes.
“I’m sorry girls, but that’s far too dangerous.”
To the surprise of everypony, this came from Pinkie Pie. Before the three fillies could counter again, she continued:
“The north is something completely different than Ponyville, Canterlot, or other places you might know. It’s cold and we’ll be in the mountains! There are living many dangerous creatures. On top of that we’re going to a village which seems to be constantly attacked by something or someone. It’s not safe for anypony, not for us and not for you. And if we’d take you with us, there only would be a higher chance that somepony gets hurt…or worse.”
Her voice became more serious and quiet to the end. Everypony stared at her. They didn’t expect this coming from their always silly being pink friend. The party pony gave them a confused look and shrugged.
“What? I lived there.” She said.
“We still want to go!” Scootaloo said determined. But the other two Crusaders didn’t look that sure about it anymore.
“I’m not so sure Scootaloo. When even Pinkie seems so serious about it we probably really should stay here…” Sweetie Belle said but was interrupted by the orange pegasus.
“Adventurers have to face any danger! Besides, Rainbow Dash is there!” she pointed at the cyan pegasus “Nothing can go wrong.”
“I’m sorry girls. But this really isn’t something you can accompany us to. Like Pinkie said, it’s too dangerous.” Twilight said.
“W-when it’s that dangerous…can I just stay here?” Fluttershy asked scared.
“Hay no! You have to come Fluttershy!” Rainbow said. She was annoyed of all the arguing.
“But we want to go!” Apple Bloom said.
“Apple Bloom, Ah’m sorry but ‘no’ means ‘no’. Ah’m sure you’ll find another, safer, way to get your cutie marks.” Applejack said with a tone of finality.
The little farmer filly sighed. There didn’t seem to be a way to convince her sister and the others.
“Come on Crusaders, like mah sis said: we should try something else.” She said defeated. The other two gave her confused looks, not believing that their friend gave up that easily. But when they opened their mouths to argue with the adults, they closed them again. In the views they got, they could see a clear finality, mixed with worry. Like Apple Bloom, they understood that they lost this fight.
“Fine.” Scootaloo said annoyed. “But I doubt that we’ll find something more awesome than this.”
“I really wanted to be an adventurer.” Sweetie Belle said disappointed.
Rarity sighed. “Don’t be sad Sweetie. We will be back in a few days.”
“That’s right! And then we will have a big party!” Pinkie Pie said in her normal happy voice. The seriousness from earlier was gone again.
“Alright…” Sweetie Belle said, but still sounded as disappointed as before.
“Have a nice journey.” Apple Bloom said in a happier voice than before and walked in the direction of the exit. The other two Crusaders followed her.
“Yeah, have a nice time of being adventurers while we are not.” Scootaloo said annoyed.
“Be safe…” Sweetie said with a tone of worry. Then the Crusaders were out of sight.
“The Cake’s made packages with sweets and bake goods for us all.” Pinkie Pie said to change the topic. “There still are your packages in the bag.” She said to Applejack and Rarity.
“How thoughtful of them. I hope you already said ‘thank you’ in advance from us.” Rarity said and pulled her package out with her magic. It now flew next to her.
“I thanked them. But they know that you’re thankful too. But we will throw a party for them anyway when we come back!” Pinkie said and grinned.
“That’s also fine Sugarcube. And throwing a party as a ‘thanks’ is a great idea too.” Applejack said and stashed her package in her saddlebag.
“Didn’t they make a package for me too?” Spike asked disappointed.
“’Course they did! But they put it together with Twilight’s.” Pinkie said. “At least I assume that since it was bigger than the other ones.”
“Great!” the dragon said happily.
While paying attention to the packages, nopony noticed one of Rarity’s suitcases slowly closing itself without being locked from the outside.
“How long do we need to travel with this train?” Applejack asked.
“One full day. When we arrive at Coltcity we will continue travelling by pegasus carriages the princess sent for us.” Twilight said.
They were all at the train to the north now.
“Can I just fly myself then? These carriages are so slow!” Rainbow said while looking over the back of her seat to Twilight.
“No Rainbow. We have to keep together.” The lavender unicorn said.
“Besides Rainbow, you don’t know the area. How will ya be able to find this Meraville when you don’t know where it is?” Applejack said.
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I’m a pegasus AJ. I have very good navigation skills. I will never get lost in my life!”
While Rainbow continued to argue with Twilight and Applejack about the pegasus carriages and Rainbow’s flight skills, Pinkie started to look out of the window and did something she only rarely did: She was quiet.
They were only on their way for ten minutes now, but the landscape already started to change. More rivers and open fields appeared and more mountains came into view. The sky was perfectly blue without a single cloud and Celestia’s sun shone high above the land. It would have been a perfect day to go out and play with friends, like Pinkie had done earlier that day, but now they were on a journey to somewhere else. Under different circumstances Pinkie would have been incredibly happy about it and would talk the whole time about how much fun it would be. But unlike their other adventures, they were now heading to a place Pinkie knew very well. And not only that. It was the place she grew up. For Pinkie it was a place of darkness and sadness. When it wouldn’t be for her friends she wouldn’t have gone on this journey. But she couldn’t back down now. They were on their way and she had to face whatever it was that was awaiting them there. Besides, they didn’t head to her hometown. They only headed to a place that probably just looked similar to her hometown. The most villages in the north looked more or less the same, considering the circumstances of the surrounding nature.
She turned her head again to Rainbow Dash beside her to give her worries a rest. In the way the pegasus looked at Pinkie, she could tell that she asked her a question.
“What was that Dashie?”
“I asked if you’re okay.”
“Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
“Because you just looked out of the window and didn’t react when I called you.”
“Oh, that. Don’t worry. I just thought about home. It has been a while and it brings back old memories when I think about that we’re going to the north now.” Pinkie said with a smile while she was trying to look as happy as always.
“Ah remember you said you lived on a rock farm. What was that actually like?” Applejack asked.
Great. Just the topic Pinkie was trying to get away from. But when she wouldn’t answer the question she would surely be asked again later. So better getting the topic off now.
“It was…ohm…quite different than living in Ponyville. I mean, harvesting STONES! That isn’t very much fun. I can tell! And well, it was actually very boring living there. I was so glad when I moved to Ponyville! It’s so much more fun than on the rock farm!”
“Ohm…Pinkie. A-a-are there any d-d-d-dragons there?” Fluttershy asked scared and peeked over her seat to see the pink pony.
“Sure there are. But don’t worry, they don’t show up very often.”
The canary pegasus squeaked of fear.
“Don’t worry about it Fluttershy. The dragons I met there were nothing like the ones you are scared of. They are very nice. I remember one time, me and my sisters, accidently went in the cave of one when we got lost in the mountains. The dragon was very nice. He showed us the way back home!”
“R-really?” Fluttershy asked surprised.
“Uh-huh. I think the dragons in the north are nicer because they aren’t so often disturbed by ponies that are accidently walking in their caves or something. There don’t live that many ponies in the mountains after all.”
“That sounds pretty interesting.” Twilight said.
“It is. But I doubt that we will meet one. Their caves are super-duper-good hidden. I once tried to search dragon caves, but I never found one. Well, expect the one I found by accident.”
“You mentioned evil creatures before, that are running around everywhere. Which kind of creatures are these?” Spike asked.
“All sorts of evil creatures. Hydras, Manticores, Timberwolves, Parasprites and many more. However, I don’t know if there are many of those around Meraville. We just have to see.”
The train stopped and Pinkie watched ponies come and go. She waved everypony who left the train and greeted every new passenger with a ‘hi!’. She got some weird looks, but that wasn’t anything new to her. And it didn’t bother her either.
When the sun set down and the stars started to appear on the night sky, all six ponies moved to the sleeping car and to their compartment. They all climbed into the small beds and tried to find some sleep.
Nevertheless there was one pony who couldn’t: Pinkie Pie. She once again stared out of the window and watched the landscape passing by. It was dark by now and the stars and the moon were covered by clouds. The lack of light didn’t offer much to see. Only darkness. Pinkie wasn’t afraid of the dark though. She knew that it was like the day, only without light. She turned over in the bed to finally get some sleep. So her surprise she saw that Twilight, too, wasn’t sleeping yet.
“Hey Twilight. Is everything alright?” Pinkie whispered. The unicorn raised her head to look at the pink pony.
“Yes. I was just thinking. And I’m used to stay up late, so I don’t really feel like sleeping yet.” She whispered back. “But why aren’t you sleeping yet?”
“I was thinking too. And I’m so excited to see all the new ponies that I just can’t fall asleep.”
Twilight chuckled. “I should have known that.” She looked out of the window and sighed. “I also stayed up late because I hoped to see the changed constellations. But with the clouds in the way I can’t see anything. I somehow feel stupid that I didn’t notice it only because I didn’t study the stars this week.”
“Don’t be silly Twilight. Even you can’t notice everything. And also when you would have noticed and contacted the princess about it, she already knew it from Luna and the letter still would have only arrived today.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Oh, be quiet already you two.” Rainbow suddenly moaned and turned over in her bed.
“Good night Twilight.” Pinkie whispered and closed her eyes. She would have liked to talk more to her friend, but Rainbow was right: it was night and they should sleep.
“Good night Pinkie.” Twilight whispered back and turned over in her bed to keep watching the sky. It seemed like she didn’t intend to sleep in the next hour.
When the pink pony opened her eyes again she was greeted with the bright light of Celestia’s sun. Quickly she looked around and saw that everypony else, expect Rainbow Dash, was gone. The pegasus was still in her bed and snored loudly.
Pinkie jumped from her bed and walked to her sleeping friend.
“Rise and shine Dashie! We gonna be late for breakfast I guess!” Pinkie said and bounced at the spot. Rainbow just turned around and put the pillow on her head. Pinkie sighed.
“You leave me no other choice.” She said, jumped on Rainbow Dash’s bed and throw the cyan pegasus down.
“Ouch! Oh damn it, Pinkie.” She said while rubbing her head. She had landed hard on the wooden floor of the wagon.
“Sorry, but you didn’t want to wake up.” The pink pony said and jumped down. “I just woke up and the others weren’t here. Well, except you.” She giggled. “You want some breakfast?” Rainbow rolled her eyes.
“Oh, all right. I’m awake now anyway.” She said and followed the bouncing Pinkie out of the compartment.
“Twilight said we’d arrive in Coltcity today. Ever been there?” Pinkie asked. Rainbow shook her head.
“I was never in this part of Equestria Pinkie. The only north I ever saw was the Crystal Empire.”
“I never was in Coltcity either. Now that I think about it, it’s even more northern than my old home.” She said. Why didn’t she realize that earlier? She started to laugh at the thought how silly she was by thinking so gloomy the day before.
“What’s so funny?”
“I just thought of something silly. Nothing important.” Pinkie said. She wanted to prevent that the question of ‘what?’ appeared. She didn’t want her friends to worry about her only because she had some gloomy thoughts that were gone by now.
“Anyway. Do you think they have cupcakes?”
“For breakfast? Probably not, Pinkie.”
“Awww, that’s too bad. A little bit sugar would just be the right thing to wake me up.”
“You are already awake Pinks.”
“Yeah, but you know, like REALLY wake me up. I’m still a little tiny bit sleepy.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes again. Also when Pinkie said so, she couldn’t see anything that could be a sign of sleepiness at the hyperactive pony. Suddenly Pinkie stopped and turned around to Rainbow Dash.
“Do you think the others left us because they didn’t like us anymore!?” she blurted out. Only Pinkie could come to such conclusions.
“No Pinkie, they probably just wanted to let us sleep and went ahead. Because, you know, I’m not in the best mood if somepony wakes me up.” Rainbow answered and shot a little angry view at the earth pony. Pinkie didn’t seem to get the wink though.
“We need to make sure!” she said and dashed ahead to the dining car. Rainbow let out an annoyed sigh and flew behind her pink friend.
When she arrived the dining car she saw that Pinkie had Twilight in a death hug. The purple unicorn looked slightly confused.
“See? I told you they just wanted to let us sleep.” Rainbow said and trotted to the table all her friends sat at. “Morning girls.” She added.
“They DO have cupcakes Dashie!” Pinkie said and gave her rainbow maned friend a huge grin.
“Great. Then go and get your sugar.” She said in a sarcastic tone and sat down next to Applejack.
“Okie Dokie Loki!” Pinkie said and dashed to the plate with the sugary goodness’s.
“Why are you in such a bad temper Rainbow? Didn’t get enough sleep?” Applejack asked.
“I probably would be in a better mood if somepony wouldn’t have thrown me out of my bed.” She looked in Pinkie Pie’s direction who was about to eat all cupcakes at the refreshment bar.
“I was just about to wake you anyway. It’s already 10:20am. We will arrive in Coltcity in about an hour.” Twilight said and took a sip of her tea.
Rainbow took another look at Pinkie at the refreshment bar.
“I guess I should get myself something for breakfast too then. I’m starving.” She said. And as if her words weren’t enough, her stomach growled.
“Just go ahead. They have very delicious treats here.” Applejack said and took a bite of her apple crumble.
While Rainbow and Pinkie were away to get themselves some breakfast, or in Pinkies case, to eat it right from the buffet, the other four ponies, and Spike, discussed the scenery that was passing by.
“These mountains are looking simply beautiful.” Rarity said. “I’m actually somepony who likes big cities, but I have nothing against a peaceful sight like this.”
“As long as you aren’t in that nature, right?” Applejack said as she thought once again of their last camping trip.
“Indeed. Looking at the scenery and being in the scenery are two completely different things.” The alabaster unicorn responded.
“Do you think there are jewels somewhere?” Spike asked excited while drooling at the thought of jewels.
“I do hope so, darling. That would at least be one good thing at this journey.” Rarity said.
“I really would love to see what sweet little critters are living all around.” Fluttershy said and couldn’t take her eyes of the forests that covered the mountains like huge green blankets.
“Focus girls. We’re here to solve a problem, not to admire the scenery.” Twilight interrupted.
“Twilight, we don’t know anything more about the problem until we’re not there. And we haven’t even arrived Coltcity yet. Ah think you shouldn’t worry so much.” Applejack said and finished her breakfast.
“We promise to focus once we are there.” Fluttershy said and gave her friend a smile. She was much more confident now since a pony told her earlier about all the animals that lived in the woods all around.
“Whatever it is in this Meraville, it better be something awesome! I don’t want to stick too long in this boring place.” Rainbow said as she came back with a chocolate muffin.
“We just have to see.” Twilight said.
“Are you sure they won’t notice us?”
“Don’t worry. As long as we wear these outfits they won’t notice a thing.”
“We have to tell them anyway. I’m sure Rarity will find us when she unpacks her things.”
“Not when we are sneaky!”
“Girls! Focus. We just have to get to the dining car to get something to eat and then we’re going right back.”
The Crusaders have been hiding in one of Rarity’s biggest suitcases and got into the train this way. When everypony was asleep they came out and searched themselves an own compartment. They got back into the other compartment after Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash left. Then they borrowed some clothes from Rarity to camouflage themselves. Now the task at hoof was to get breakfast without being noticed by the six friends. The three fillies were wrapped in scarves and winter clothes that were definitely too big for them. But they were starving, and there was no other choice.
“Okay, now let’s get to it.” Apple Bloom said and walked into the dining car, followed by the other two Crusaders.
They tried to be sneaky but still had to make a normal impression. That means, as normal as possible. Also when they were already in the north, it wasn’t necessary to be clothed that thick in a train. When they entered the wagon they at first got some weird looks. The only one they saw at the buffet was Pinkie Pie who just ate the last cupcake.
“Damn, I wanted a cupcake.” Sweetie Belle said quietly.
“Sssh! When we want this to work, we better don’t say anything. They probably recognize our voices.” Apple Bloom whispered. Her two friends nodded.
“Ok, we just pick some food and head right back to the compartment.” Scootaloo summarized quietly and want to the table with the delicious food. It really was hard to choose from so many stuff.
Apple Bloom decided to just take some muffins and other things you could easily save for later use. She put all of it in a paper bag who fetched from the end of the table where the dishes were. She was glad they had some.
Scootaloo wasn’t so wise. She picked a lot of things that should be eaten fast and couldn’t be saved for later.
Sweetie Belle, on the other hoof, had no idea what to pick. Everything looked so tasty that she just couldn’t decide. She couldn’t take everything after all. Her friends were already finished with picking their things and were eagerly waiting for her at the door. She gave them a desperate look.
“I just can’t decide.” She whispered to herself and looked, once again, at all the food at the tables.
“I recommend you to try the cupcakes! They’re very good!”
Sweetie Belle jumped surprised as she heard Pinkie Pie’s voice next to her. She had forgotten the pink pony was also at the buffet.
“Oh, that’s right, I ate them all already. Sorry for that. They were just soooooooo good!”
The unicorn filly said nothing and just looked around at the table again. She had to act quick or Pinkie would recognize her. Then everything would be over. So she didn’t care anymore about picking the most delicious treats and just stuffed some food in her paper bag that was nearby. Then she ran to the exit of the wagon, where Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were already waiting. The three friends ran back to the compartment they left not five minutes ago and closed the door behind them.
“That sure was a close one.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Why do you need to be so choosy!? Our cover was nearly blown!” Scootaloo burst out.
“Now calm down Scoots, nothing bad happened.” Apple Bloom said.
“Right, we got our food now.” Sweetie Belle said and peeked inside of the paper bag.
“Can we get rid of these now though? It’s getting pretty warm with those.” Scootaloo said and motioned at their hiding outfits.
“Sure. We need to get them back into Rarity’s suitcases anyway so she won’t notice anything.” Apple Bloom said and unwrapped herself from the scarf and the winter coat. And so did the other Crusaders. When they just had finished packing all clothes back into the suitcases they heard voices from outside.
“Oh no. We have to hide!” Sweetie Belle said in panic.
“Quick! Into the suitcase again!” Scootaloo said and they all jumped into the open black luggage and closed it, just before the door opened and the six ponies, and one dragon, entered.
“-and then you could see that this will be just nothing.” They heard Rainbow saying.
“In the letter she wrote that the forest caught fire, I don’t see how this can be ‘nothing’!” Twilight answered and sounded a bit angry. The Crusaders couldn’t see the ponies but they clearly could hear that they were arguing about something. They could hear Rarity sigh.
“You really should be more patient. Both of you. We will see what’s the problem once we get there. Which will be in a few hours hopefully. All that guessing didn’t bring us a step nearer to find out what we have to face.” She said.
“What’s up with this paper bag with food?” Applejack suddenly said. The Crusaders couldn’t see each other in the darkness of the suitcase but they still knew whose paper bag that was. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle in anger. The unicorn couldn’t see her friends but she felt their stares. She wanted to whisper ‘sorry’, but that would have blown their cover.
“Did anyone of you bring food?” Twilight asked.
“Maybe somepony accidently left it here when going in the wrong compartment.” Fluttershy guessed.
“Ah don’t think that’s the case sugarcube. But Ah’m sure somepony really has been in here while we weren’t.” Applejack said. Sweetie Belle felt even angrier gazes thrown at her.
“Maybe somepony wanted to surprise us with the food!” Pinkie said. “I’ll take it if you don’t want it!”
“Let’s better check if nothing got stolen.” Rainbow said. The Crusaders were now afraid. Their cover would be blown for sure now! And once they were in Coltcity, they would be sent home in the next train that’d come. And this would be the end of their adventure.
“We don’t have time for this now. The train will arrive in Coltcity in five minutes. We have to get our things and get out then. We can check our luggage when we’re at the station, but I’m quite sure nothing has been stolen. We didn’t pack valuable things after all.” She made a short break. “Right?” she asked and it sounded like she was asking one pony in particular.
“Only when you don’t count my winter outfits as valuable enough to be stolen darling.” Rarity said.
“I don’t think a thief would take clothes.” Pinkie said.
“Alright then. Let’s get our things.” Twilight said again. “Spike, could you-“
“-help Rarity with her suitcases. Of course.” The dragon ended her sentence and began to get Rarity’s luggage. At least it sounded like that.
Oh no! Our suitcase isn’t locked. It will open when Spike takes it and then we’re doomed! Sweetie Belle thought. Like on cue Spike took the giant suitcase with the three fillies in it. But he seemed to notice something, because he stopped and closed the lock.
“You really should check this lock when we’re in Meraville Rarity. It keeps opening itself.” The dragon said.
All three Crusaders let out a quiet sigh of relief. Also when they weren’t discovered now, they knew that they would be sooner or later. But until then they had to cope with the lack of space and the stuffy air. Sweetie Belle had made sure that there could get air into the suitcase though. It was very much luck that Rarity had a suitcase big enough with this feature. All they had to do now was wait and maybe eat some food they still had in their paper bags. Well, except Sweetie Belle. But her friends were kind enough to give her some of their food. They didn’t know how much time had passed, but the train eventually came to a halt and they felt their suitcase moving once again. Then many voices were heard. They were at the station in Coltcity.
